Antonio Conte's return to Turin in his Juventus Stadium with the national team for the friendly against England of former Inter player Roy Hodgson was applauded. Italy went better in the first half and took the lead with the "English" Graziano Pellè. In the second half, however, England came out, currently one of the national teams in better shape after the disappointing Brazilian Mundial, and found a draw with Townsend.
Overall, tonight's Italy went better than in the previous match against Bulgaria. The defense held up better but the midfield was above all appreciable, led by the rookie Valdifiori who received compliments from Conte and appeared much more mature than Verratti. Even the attack with Eder and Pellè moved well.
But it must be recognized that without three sensational saves by Captain Buffon Italy could have ended up worse.
The match in Turin seems to be able to silence even the not too latent controversy between Conte and Juve and it is no coincidence that the president Andrea Agnelli, before the start of the match, went down to the locker room to say goodbye to mister Conte.
